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The USPHS Commissioned Corps is committed to our mission to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation. Public Health Service officers are trained and equipped to provide crucial public health leadership, assist with policy development, advance innovation and science, provide essential care services and respond to national and global public health emergencies. Through our Active Duty Regular Corps, our Public Health Response Strike Team (PHERST) and our Ready Reserve Corps, we remain responsive and available to rapidly deploy in the service of health.
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Promotion Information
Below the Zone
Overview
Below the Zone (BTZ) promotion is an opportunity to promote one year ahead of when an officer is normally eligible. BTZ promotions are for truly exceptional officers who are performing at a high level, in a position that exceeds their current grade, and who have demonstrated leadership and made broad impacts in their discipline and assigned programs. The BTZ process is outlined in
Please note, if an officer met the eligibility requirements for BTZ in PY 2024 and was not nominated by their agency, they may be eligible for BTZ again in subsequent years based on the PY 2025 and later eligibility requirements. If an officer is nominated for BTZ, they cannot be nominated again for BTZ to the same grade.
BTZ Eligibility Requirements for Promotion Year (PY) 2025 and Beyond
In order to be eligible for BTZ, the officer must be:
- Within 1 year of meeting the eligibility criteria during the PY (or 2 years for select disciplines if the Surgeon General approves)
- At the O-3, O-4, or O-5 grade
- In a billet that has a rating that is above their current grade
- Compliant with readiness requirements
- Rated as satisfactory on their most recent Annual Commissioned Officers’ Effectiveness Report (COER)
- Have all required COERs for the past five years
- Not have any active administrative or adverse action(s)
Additional Information
- Agencies may nominate no more than 10% of officers eligible at their agency for BTZ
- When an agency nominates an officer for BTZ, the officer must remain assigned to that agency through their BTZ eligibility date as well as for 1 year after the effective date of their promotion (if the officer is successfully promoted)
- An officer nominated for BTZ, is not eligible for a Special Promotion Examination to the same grade
- All officers who receive a BTZ nomination from their agency, must understand the requirements laid out in POM 821.88
Promotion Instructions are available on the Commissioned Corps Issuance System (CCIS).
- Select "Commissioned Corps Issuance System" from the link bar at the top of this page.
- Click on "Table of Contents."
- Click on the "+" next to "Book 3: Personnel Management."
- Click on Chapter 3: Promotions and Reductions.
- Click the "+" next to the topic of interest related to promotions. The section title will turn blue.
- Double click the blue section title and refer to the policy governing this process.
Promotion Instructions are available on the Commissioned Corps Issuance System (CCIS).
- Select "Commissioned Corps Issuance System" from the link bar at the top of this page.
- Click on "Table of Contents."
- Click on the "+" next to "Book 3: Personnel Management."
- Click on Chapter 3: Promotions and Reductions.
- Click the "+" next to the topic of interest related to promotions. The section title will turn blue.
- Double click the blue section title and refer to the policy governing this process.
Last Updated: 10/27/23
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USER ASSISTANCE
Please check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) . FAQs are located at the top of the page next to the search function.
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COMMISSIONED CORPS NEWS
Officer Spotlight November 2024
Officer Spotlight
Practice Hours Opportunities
Practice Hours Opportunities
2023 Temporary Grade Promotions
CC News Announcement 2023 Temporary Grade Promotions
Changes in Tattoo Policy in CCI 412.01, Uniforms and Appearance
Changes in Tattoo Policy in CCI 412.01, Uniforms and Appearance
Surgeon General Priorities
Surgeon General Priorities
January 2021: United States Public Health Commissioned Corps Doctrine
The link above will take you to the Noncompetitive Promotion Roster for Promotion Year 2020.
FAQs Practice Hours and Special Pay Changes
This is first in a series of FAQs, more FAQs will be forthcoming on Practice Hours and Special Pays.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Mission - Deployments Readiness Updates
As we position ourselves to assist with controlling the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), please note that we’re in an “all-hands on deck” status. Messaging has gone out from the Assistant Secretary for Health reminding Commissioned Corps officers of their deployment responsibilities...
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